Apparatus and process for facilitating slaughter and for bleeding slaughter animals



@AEV

'A vvk-ur July 21; v1959 w MURPHY APPARATUS AND PRoc'Ess'FoR FACILITATING SLAUGHTER AND FOR BLEEDING SLAUGHTER ANIMALS Griginal Filed Nov. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 `v u 4m Y /N/f/vra July 21, 1959 w, MURPHY 2,895,164

APPARATUS AND PROCESS F OR FACILITATING SLAUGHTER AND FOR BLEEDING SLAUGHTER ANIMALS Original Filed Nov. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 AUREA/cf W MURPHY 52 United States Patent C APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR FACILITATING LAUGIiIJSTER AND FOR BLEEDING SLAUGHTER .Laurence W. Murphy, Austin, Minn., assigner to Geo. A.

Hormel & Co., Austin, Minn., a corporation of Dela- Ware l Original application November 14, 1955, Serial No. 546,622, now Patent No. 2,841,817, dated July 8, 1958. Divided and this application `lanuary 27, 1958, Serial `5 Claims. (Cl. 17-45) This invention relates to apparatus and processes for y ."-facilitating the slaughter, for slaughtering and for efficiently bleeding slaughter animals to eect economies 1; and to substantially eliminate injury to the hams, with a a'maXimum recovery of blood during the bleeding.

@This application is a divisional of my co-pending aapplication, Serial No. 546,622, filed November 14, 1,1955, now Patent No. 2,841,817, issued July 8, 1958. This invention has an important and combinative rprocess relation with the invention disclosed in my United i States Letters Patent No. 2,733,477 and No. 2,526,037. hln said patents, al valuable process and apparatus were .vdisclosed for continuously and successively immobilizing :..;and delivering slaughter animals such as hogs, steers, a'fowls and others prior to the sticking operation. The

:. animalswere conveyed or yotherwise moved in a subs,stantially,vcontinuous tile between side Walls or rails to i-prevent them from turning as they pass through an :.anesthetizing chamber in such travel wherein carbon adioirideor other satisfactory gas was administered under :uniform 4control,'to an extent only to immobilize the 'ivoluntary processes ofthe animals without retarding '.the involuntary processes such as breathing and circula- '.'tion of blood stream. My said disclosed improvements --on the apparatus and process of my original patents in zthata more uniform andjcontinuous lile or stream of :animals l-is assured with employment of a minimum --jriumber ofprodders; or attendants and whereby, such animals, just prior to entrance and travel through the f anesthetizing chamber and throughout the travel therein, ane physically separated orispaced apart to positively prevent stampeding, crowding orpiling up of the animals in their fileor lane preparatory to enduring anesthetizing. My present invention makes provision for successively receiving immobilized animals and for moving the same in. spaced, transverse relation through a predetermined` effect thorough bleeding thereof while holding during such travel, the animal in a position most favorable to lkeep the wounds or cuts open to facilitate bleeding and also, during such travel, to collect all blood. Preferably, the animals while disposed horizontally, are disposed from head to rear with the center line and back line of the animal at an angle of substantially degrees with reference to the line of travel or center line of the conveyor or other means for producing travel.

Another object is the provision of eicient apparatus for receiving and conveying in successive order, a plurality of immobilized slaughter animals, said apparatus including an eiiicient conveyor, preferably of the deck type, on which the animals are disposed in spaced, transverse, substantially parallel relation, preferably inclined at angles of 60 degrees from head to rear with reference to the center line and direction of travel of the conveyor. The said apparatus and conveyor includes a means whereby the torso and main portion of the body of the animals are supported upon a deck-like conveyor portion while the heads and at least most of the shoulders of the animals, are disposed on a portion of a conveyor which is foraminous for permitting passage of blood therethrough and which portion of the conveyor served to tilt the heads slightly forward and downward, keeping the cut from the sticking open and most efficiently draining the blood, all without the use of shackles and overhead conveyors, from which animals have formerly been suspended by the one hind leg, as common or accepted practice.

A further object in apparatus and a process of the yclass described, is the provision of means regardless of the individual length of adjacent animals in successive line, to retain the animals individually in proper transverse relation to the vtravel or conveyor, even though reflex actions after sticking occur, said transverse relation preferably being at 60 degrees rather than 90 degrees to the center line of the conveyor.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of an embodiment of my apparatus with the medial portion thereof broken away and the view thus fore shortened;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 3 3 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, showing the mately along the line 6 6 of Fig. 3, looking in the direc- 'of the travel of said animals through the predetermined` 'f vcourse is adequate with my improved facilities for holding `thepwound open, tov thoroughly bleed the animals in accordance with requirements of Federal law. l More speciiicallygit is an object of my present invening two forms of foraminous or fork rod structure for Y supporting the head and forelegs of slaughter animals.

tion to providea process for continuously and successivelyl` `a predetermined course and in said travelyfrst sticking :through said course through a time period to adequately T-r slaughteringthe'fanimal and'-'thereafter, moving it,

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated my apparatus utilizes an elongated deck conveyor DC of endless type trained about rearward and forward sets of sprocket wheels 10 and 11 and roller supported upon va track comprising the rails 12 (see Fig. 3).

When combined for use with my apparatus disclosed in said patents, deck conveyor DC receives animals having .been previously immobilized as by anesthesia from the delivery end X of the conveyor delivering from the anesthesia chamber, a gradually declined slide section S being interposed between the delivery end of conveyor X and the receiving end of deck conveyor DC.

The immobilized slaughter animals are disposed in spaced relation longitudinally of the delivery conveyor X and are turned from that position to a transverse position as they pass down the slide section S. This is readily accomplished by grasp-ing the animal by the forelegs or rear legs and turning as the animal is sliding down the section S.

VThe deck'conveyor DC is of a width to more than accommodate the entire length of the particular slaughter animal on which the apparatus is to be used. One longitudinal side of said deck conveyor of a marginal width to `nicely accommodate the head and most of the forelegs of the slaughter animals is constructed of rigid, foraminous material indicated as an entirety by the letter F and is depressed as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 7, in relation to the main deck of the conveyor on which the ,bodies of the animals are supported and which in the yform shown, comprises a multiplicity of linked, transverse flat slats of leaves 13.

A sticker station or platform SS is provided forwardly of the slide section S extending longitudinally of the forarninous, marginal portion of deck conveyor DC. In this station, as the animal is moving slowly in travel S, the sticker makes a non-conventional sticking and-cut, severing the desired carotid artery and jugular vein. The cut C so made, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, is disposed medially over the foraminous portion of the deck convveyor, so that the blood may pass therethrough into a longitudinal blood-collecting trough T which extends the full length of the deck conveyor.

Directly after sticking or slaughter, Athe hogs or other` slaughter animals are engaged from above by a longitudinally extending, variable hold-down conveyor indi- *catedl as an entirety by the letters HD. As shown, this conveyor comprises an endless apron 14 trained over a transverse, rear -roller 15 and a forward roller 16, said `forward roller ybeing suitably driven in synchronization with the speed of `travel of the deck conveyor DC. The under-'run 14a of the hold-down apron is yieldingly urged downwardly by a series of hanger rollers 17 and engages the girthof theslaughter animals even though they vary considerably in vcross 'sectional dimensionsV and length, thereby retaining theanimals in proper transverse position on the deck conveyor even though reflex actions occur lin the animals subsequent to sticking.

The length of the deck conveyor DC related to the yspeedl of travel of the same issuch that through the involuntary heart action of the animals after sticking, the

`same will be yfully bled during their travel and before (they reach in travel, the delivery end E of the deck con- ,veyor. The hold-down conveyor HD, it will be noted, `terminates quite Yshort of the delivery end of the deckconveyor, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

Referring more in detail to the specic formof deck i conveyor illustrated (see Figs. 3 to 6' inclusive), I interconnect the multiplicity of slats or leaves 13 of conveyor DC with'two lines of suitable linkslS, said links'at their ends being pivotedtogether by pins` 19a which as shown, "also constitute'the journals -for supporting rollers 19. Rollers A19 'are supported upon and roll VuponV the two rails 12 ofthe'supporting track. For strength as shown,

.thelinks comprise outer and inner sections, as stated, pivotally interconnected to formt endless chains which are Idisposed inwardly some distance from the respective longitudinal edges of the deck conveyor and which chains aredriven at the forward end of deck conveyor through the `sprockets 11', the shaft of which is connected with a suitable source of power, no'tshown.

The supporting l'rails 12 for the deck conveyor, as

"shown, are secured to and supported from the .top of widely spaced, heavy bolsters 20 which are'centrallysupported from an upstanding, heavy supporting framework slats comprising simply an integral rod 25 which is bent spaced longitudinally at the bottom of the conveyor, have designated as an entirety by the number 21. Bolsters 20 and consequently, portions of the framework are interconnected by an elongated, rigid sleeve 20a which passes through the bolsters and tightly fits same. Bolsters 20 also support the longitudinal guard rails 21 as shown in the form of inverted T-bars lhaving angle bars 21a at the upper ends thereof, welded or otherwise rigidly secured. The upper flanges of members 21a -extend horizontally inward short distances to in straight line fashion, engage against depending roller brackets 22 which are secured beneath the respective slats 13, thereby preventing lateral displacement of the slats relative to the supporting rails 12. Such engagement of course, only occurs in a guiding fashion if there is a tendency forlateral displacement of the deck conveyor.

with an offset or depressed fork structure 24 which is preferably made from rigid rod material. In the form yshown in Fig. 7, the outwardly extending rods 24a are four in number, being spaced in parallel relationship and interconnected at their outer ends as by welding with rod rsection'24a. The inner ends of rods 24a are bent up- "-wardlyand then horizontally inward, affording Shanks l'24C (see Fig. 3) which are welded or otherwise rigidly Aaflixedto the end of the slat 13 thereabove. fof* offsetting of the `fork structure 24 from the top sur- The extent face-ofthe slats depends of course upon the dimensions ofthe slaughter animals to be accommodated. In the -case of hogs,this distance usually varies from 3 to 41/2 inches.

In Fig. 8, an alternative form of forked or foraminous head and foreleg supporting structure is shown for the in hairpin fashion with its Shanks connected as in the case of rod 24 with the adjacent end of its supporting slat 13.

Inthis form of fork structure, the rod or rods are in- Y clined obliquely from their integral connection with the Vattached shanks and then are disposed horizontally throughout the greater portion of their lengths as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

i Referring again to the hold-down conveyor HD, the same is suitably supported from overhead by heavy end and intermediate straps 26 and 27 respectively, said straps being connected at their lower ends with horizontal, elongated beams 28, one disposed at each side of the con- The tensioning or hanger brackets 17 which are side arms 17a which are pivoted at their rear and upward ends tothe beams 28 of the hanger frame and carry depending rollers 17 b at their outer ends, which rollers actu- A`ally engage the botto-m run 14a of the apron. The arms 17a of the brackets are urged downwardly by suitable lmeanslsuch as pressure springs 29 or the equivalent.

The deck conveyor DC is driven by suitable power source at its forward end and its speed of travel is synchronized with the travel of the hold-down conveyor FID. As` shown, suitable chain-tighting mechanism lndicated as an entirety by the numeral 30, is provided l within the rear contines of the deck conveyor chains on conveyor DC and at each side thereof. The longitudinal blood-collection trough T has a bottom declined towards the outer edgethereof and providing a sump adjacent the longitudinal outer edge of the apparatus from which, at

` spaced points, suction pipes or the like32, are connected.- Trough T at its outer side, has a relatively high splash side'33 as shown in Fig. 3.

The -deck conveyor, in the 1 .embodimentY illustrated,

delivers the slaughtered animals' after bleeding; to' a soaking and scalding tub identied as an entirety by the letter Y.

Process The steps of my novel process with or Without inclusion of the immobilizing steps, Vpreferably anesthesia, are for the most partv pointed out in the foregoing description of the embodiment of apparatus illustrated.

It is essential in my process that the slaughter animals which may include hogs, cattle, sheep and also large fowls, be immobilized and deliveredA successively, one at a time prior to travel for the sticking and blood letting operations.

It is highly desirable in immobilizing the involuntary functions of such animals that they be not shackled or suspended from their hind legs, as is the usual procedure before sticking. I prefer to employV the method and apparatus of my said patents wherein the slaughter animals are moved 'at a fairly slow speed, standing on their own legs through an anesthetizing chamber. Here, under control, anesthesia is administered to an extent to cause immobilization of the voluntary processes and the animals slump to prostrate position without producing stretching or straining of the branches of the acetabular artery located in the ligaments and without rupture of hip joint capsules, or joint of femur and ilium.

In recent years, the hemorrhaging by hogs and other slaughter animals through stretching of the limbs by suspension of the weight of the animal therefrom through shackles and -overhead trolleys, has often produced hemorrhages by tearing of the branches of the acetabular arteries and/ or by tearing of the hip joint capsules. Blood and synovial iluid, as a result of tearing of the acetabular arteries and capsules emerged from the joint cavity and followed intermuscular septum to the surface or interior of the ham. IHemorrhaging was severe, since even after sticking, the involuntary processes including blood circulation and breathing continue for some time. The monetary loss to packers through the necessary downgrading of such hemorrhaged meat has been very substantial and in many instances, ham sold to consumers had hemorrhages which were not detected since they did not reach the surface.

My process includes, after eiciently immobilizing the voluntary processes of the animals, the conveying or moving of said animals successively in spaced relation through a predetermined travel related to an element of time while retaining the head and any portion of the shoulder of said animals at a somewhat lower level than the bodies thereof to thereby cause the incision from sticking, to remain open. The preferred incision ,made in carrying out my process is made at an angle of 70 degrees to the backbone of the hog, which is non-conventional but is found to assist in keeping the incision open.

The process as an essential element, includes the elhcient sticking of the slaughter animal in a reclined or prostrate position while slowly traveling through a predetermined path and the continued positioning of the animal in said path before and after sticking, as previously described.

My process also includes the collection of all blood during the predetermined travel of the animal as well as the retention or holding of the animal during a travel suflicient from point of time for complete bleeding to the end that the positioning of animals successively in the line of travel will not be disturbed even through certain rellex actions occur subsequent to the step of sticking.

While other apparatus and substitute for component elements thereof may be employed for carrying out my novel process, the type of apparatus illustrated herein is particularly well adapted for attaining high end results.

First, with the declined slide S, it is easy for an 4operator by grasping the animals ears and forelegs, to turn the delivered animal to a position on its side transverse-z ly of the deck conveyor with the head and forelegs oi at least most of the forelegs supported upon the depressed,l foraminous section F which as shown in the aggregate, consists of the fork rod structure.

No shackling of one or two of the rear legsA of the animal is required, thereby eliminating substantial labor costs.

The sticker, a highly skilled technician, stands or sits on his station SS, rapidly making the necessary incision at the throat of the animal whose head is disposed above the adjacent marginal portion of foraminous construction.

Very shortly after sticking, the animal in transverse position as shown in Figs. l and 2, travels under the holddown conveyor HD and even though the girth and length of the successive animals varies considerably, the springactuated, resilient construction applied to the lowerV run of apron 14a, causes all of the animals to be engaged and held down individually to prevent displacement-from the predetermined, transverse position upon the deck conveyor.

To my knowledge, it was heretofore unknown that a slaughter animal could be completely and successfully bled while being moved in prostrate position.

With the positioning of the head and at least portions of the forelegs through the use of my apparatus, the cut at the throat of the animal is caused to be held open and the blood pours out, it has been found after exhaustive tests in many instances, as completely and rapidly as when an animal is suspended by its hind legs in the manner now extensively and commercially used. All blood trickles through the fork rods 24 dropping to the` collection trough T from which it is constantly removed by suction pumps connected to the trough at intenvals by conduits 32.

'Ihe time interval of travel of the animal after sticking is such that complete bleeding as required by Federah law, is effected before each animal is delivered from the deck conveyor DC.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that: throughout the steps of my novel process and with the apparatus herein described, there can be no rupture of the joint capsule of the ham of the animal nor can there by any stretching of limbs or cutting or tearing of veins or of the hip joint capsules at the hip joint or elsewhere. Consequently, the previously objectionable hemorrhaging has been eliminated with a great saving to packing houses in the slaughtering of domestic animals.

With the use of my inventions the laborious shackling of live hogs or other slaughter animals and fowls may be eliminated with attendant saving in labor and with the substantial elimination during sticking and bleeding operations, of hemorrhaging and down-grading of meat through tearing of arteries or fracture of joint capsules formerly due to overhead suspension of animals before and after slaughter, by their hind legs.

What I claim is:

l. The process of slaughtering and bleeding slaughter animals after the voluntary processes of said animals have been irrnnobilized, which consists in supporting and substantially horizontally moving at slow speed a plurality of said animals disposed in horizontal, transverse relation to their line of travel, successively sticking said animals during their initial movement and continuing the movement of said animals for a predetermined time travel adequate for full bleeding of the stuck animals and collecting the blood from said animals as they travel through said path.

2. The steps of the process as defined in claim 1 further characterized by the continued support of the head and throat of said animals at a level somewhat below the support level of the body of said animals throughout the travel of said animals.

3. 'Ihe steps of the process as dened in claim l further characterized by the step of applying light downward pressure individually against the animals during their travel to retain the same against displacement from their transverse relation due to reflex actions after sticking.

4. The process of slaughtering and bleeding slaughter animals which consists in rst immobilizing the voluntary processes of the animals without affecting the involuntary processes and without bruising or causing hemorrhaging of the ham thereof, successively delivering said immobilized animals disposed in substantially spaced, parallel relation transversely of the line of travel and continuing to support and move said animals in said line of travel past a stickers station, sticking the throat and carotid artery and jugular Vein of each animal successively at said station and continuing to move said animals in said relationship with the shoulders and heads supported at a slightly lower level than the bodies thereof for a period of travel sucient to permit thorough bleeding thereof, said support of said head causing the cuts from the sticking operation to remain open.

5. The process of slaughtering and bleeding a slaughter animal 'which consists in iirst immoblizing the voluntaryv processes of the animal- Without affecting the involuntary processes and Without bruising or causing hemorrhaging of the legs thereof, and supporting the immobilized animal in horizontal position with shoulder and head supported at a slightly'lower level than the torso, moving said animal so supported in a line of travel past a sticker station, sticking the throat and carotid artery and jugular vein of the animal while it is traveling in said line and continuing to move the animal in said position for a period of travel suicient to permit thorough bleeding thereof.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Murphy Oct. 17, 1950 Regensburger Mar. 13, 1956 

